Jay-Z Biography & News

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Is Jay-Z mired in a family feud?

Jay-Z has undertaken plenty of musical endeavors in the last calendar year, but you wouldn't know it based on recent headlines. In fact, his nine nominations at the 2014 Grammy Awards – more than any other artist – is barely a footnote when you consider the current reasons tongues are wagging about the rap superstar.

Yes, it's true that Jay-Z appeared on wife Beyonce's self-titled fifth studio album, "Beyonce," with a feature on the song "Drunk in Love." It's also true they performed the song together at the Grammy Awards opening. But the only reason people have been talking about the power couple lately is due to a physical provocation between Jay-Z and Beyonce's sister Solange during an annual fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In early May, Jay-Z was part of a one-sided brawl when Solange attacked him in an elevator at a New York hotel. Leaked surveillance footage that has been played countless times on television and online show him deflecting the blows, but otherwise making no aggressive moves to counter the attack. Still, his reputation appeared in question and was unceremoniously dragged through the mud until a joint statement was issued proclaiming that Jay-Z, Beyonce and Solange had moved past the incident.

Of course Jay-Z and Beyonce couldn't escape the rumor mill for long. By the end of the month, they were reportedly no-shows at the wedding of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. Jay-Z was rumored to be the best man on the big day, but apparently skipped out on the nuptials at Forte di Belvedere in Florence, Italy.

'The Greatest Rapper of All-Time' (Updated July 11, 2013)

He grew up as the man of the house, and now Sean Corey Carter – better known by his stage name Jay-Z – is one of the most successful entertainment moguls in the world. A rapper, producer and entrepreneur, this kid from the projects is worth an estimated $500 million (and rising).

Every kid in the Marcy Houses of Brooklyn probably one day dreams of a rags-to-riches story, but Jay-Z turned that dream to reality. After his father abandoned the family, he learned to support himself as an aspiring rapper known in the neighborhood by the nickname "Jazzy." After shortening that moniker to Jay-Z, he also learned the ins and outs of the industry before making the decision to start his own label rather than land in the fold of an established outfit. It was an unconventional decision, but the launch of Roc-a-Fella Records was another step in the right direction for the eventual kingpin of the rap world.

Jay-Z's debut album, "Reasonable Doubt," set the ball rolling on a career that now includes 12 studio albums. The latest, 2013's "Magna Carta…Holy Grail," which some critics have labeled "safe and adventurous," have him in a tug of war with success and regret on the album, not to mention class and race. Still, as NPR put it, "He may be getting too old to be the best rapper alive, but it's a fool's argument…that he's not the greatest rapper of all time."

Away from the mic, Jay-Z has plenty of other things to keep him busy. He co-owns a chain of sports bars known as the 40/40 Club, has a minority stake in the NBA's Brooklyn Nets and the co-creator of the clothing line Rocawear. He also founded the sports agency Roc Nation Sports, and is a certified sports agent. Most talked about, however, is his personal life. He married R&B superstar Beyonce Knowles in 2008. They had a daughter named Blue Ivy Carter in January 2012.

Top 10 Jay-Z Songs

News

October 09, 2014

Jeezy Has 'Seen It All', Announces Tour

Jeezy just wrapped up the Under the Influence of Music Tour with Wiz Khalifa, but he’s certainly not resting on his laurels—he’s just revealed plans for a solo tour to promote his latest album, Seen It All: The Autobiography, featuring tunes with Rick Ross, Game, Future, and Jay Z. The “Seen It All” Tour kicks…